MP5

General information

Type

Fire modes

Users

Statistics

Rate of fire

700-800 rpm

Magazine size

15-30 rounds

Ammunition type

9×19mm Parabellum10mm Auto.40 S&W

The MP5 is an early Cold War era sub machine gun of German origin. It was developed in the mid 1960's from the successful G3 battle rifle. The MP5 has become one of the most produced and widely used sub machine guns in the world. The MP5 has a good reputation due to high production quality and use by most elite units in the world. It remains in production, even though the UMP was designed as a successor.

The operating mechanism of the MP5 is derived from the G3. The MP5 is a roller locked delayed blowback operated weapon that fires from the closed bolt position. Most of the MP5 is made out of metal, the pistol grip and forearms are made of polymer. The MP5 comes with either a fixed plastic stock or retractable metal stock.

The MP5 fires the 9x19mm round from 15 or 30 round magazines. A wide variety of trigger groups is available, including ambidextrous ones or having burst fire ability. The cyclic rate of fire is 800 rounds per minute. The production quality, closed bolt operation and free floating barrel result in a high accuracy. The maximum effective range is quoted as 150 to 200 meters.

The MP5 and its variants are the most widely used sub machine guns in the world. It was acquired by relatively few armed forces as a standard issue sub machine gun. On the other hand law enforcement sales around the world were substantial for many decades. The MP5 is the most common firearm in use with police tactical teams and counter terrorist units in the world.